TRAUMA

Everyone has experienced some sort of traumatic event(s) during their lifetime. No matter how big or small, trauma has lasting effects on us which can carry over into our daily lives. It invades our entire being: mind, body, and spirit. Two people can experience the same exact event, and one can be traumatized by it and the other one fine. There are no "right" or "wrong" responses when it comes to trauma, we are just all wired differently.

Many people who are carrying around unresolved trauma, aren't even consciously aware of the trauma. There are two types of trauma known as "Big T" and "little t." "Big T" traumas are events which the general public would consider traumatic such as: natural disasters, war combat, car accidents, witnessing the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one, sexual assault, near death experiences, etc. "Little t" traumas, on the other hand, are those that most people, including you, might not even acknowledge as traumatic. These can include events such as: relationship breakups, loss of a pet, divorce, moving, job loss, public humiliation, childhood bullying, etc. No matter what type of trauma is experienced, they can have similar and profound effects.

Trauma usually affects the areas of the brain that manage memory and emotions, which helps explain why oftentimes memories feel fuzzy and emotions feel overwhelming even after the direct trauma has ended. PTSD is the most common diagnosis related to experiencing trauma, and includes symptoms such as: sudden flashbacks, nightmares, frightening thoughts, hyperarousal, difficulty sleeping, anger outbursts, feeling tense or on edge, trouble remembering the event, negative thoughts, loss of interest in enjoyable activities, distorted feelings like guilt or blame, and avoiding thoughts, feelings, places, events, or objects related to the trauma. Not all people who experience trauma go on to develop PTSD however, and oftentimes unprocessed trauma is expressed in other forms, which are usually unrecognized as symptoms of trauma, such as: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, etc.